Live Review and Photo Gallery: AC/DC with The Pretty Reckless at Soldier Field • Chicago

Brassneck | May 26, 2025

AC/DC with The Pretty Reckless

Soldier Field

Chicago, IL

May 24, 2025

Live Review by Justice Petersen, Photo Gallery by Edward Spinelli

Rock legends AC/DC made their return to Chicago’s Soldier Field Saturday, proving that they can still deliver their signature concoction of gritty yet anthemic rock ‘n’ roll with high energy after nearly 50 years and counting.

Chicago was the second-to-last stop on the band’s North American leg of their Power Up Tour before they headed to Europe. This tour marks their first North American tour in nine years. It follows their 2015 – 2016 Rock Or Bust Tour and subsequent hiatus due to vocalist Brian Johnson’s hearing troubles and bassist Cliff Williams’ departure. However, after releasing their Power Up album in 2020, AC/DC revealed they were back and announced an album tour in 2024.

It was evident that the crowd missed AC/DC, as they delivered a hard-hitting two-hour set to a sold-out Soldier Field. Opening for them was American rock group The Pretty Reckless, who had opened for AC/DC on the previous European leg of the Power Up Tour. A perfect pair for this ongoing tour, it’s exciting for devoted fans to see one of the greatest rock bands of the past with one of the greatest rock bands of the present.

The Pretty Reckless began their opening set with “Death By Rock And Roll,” the title track of their 2021 record. Having hinted at working on a new album this year, the group will no doubt continue to expand upon their explosive artistry with whatever new music they have in store.

Tearing through a number of their hit songs, including “Since You’re Gone,” “Make Me Wanna Die,” and “Only Love Can Save Me Now,” vocalist Taylor Momsen flawlessly delivered her signature raspy belt and playful onstage energy throughout her set. As she roared through songs such as “Witches Burn” and “Heaven Knows,” it’s evident that Momsen is in more control of her songs now than ever before, interacting with the crowd and her band mates in such a way that makes her seem like she’s the puppet master behind every note played.

As the band neared the latter half of their set, Soldier Field had mostly filled up, with light-up red devil horns illuminating the entire stadium. After finishing “Make Me Wanna Die,” Momsen told the crowd, “We’ve reached my favorite part of the night, where the set goes down and the horns light up,” before shredding through their hit song “Going To Hell.”

Seeing The Pretty Reckless perform to so many well-deserved large crowds on their run with AC/DC is refreshing. Considering they are the primary contender for bands keeping the raw and unbridled danger and sexual energy of classic rock ‘n’ roll alive, The Pretty Reckless arguably remain underrated.

The Pretty Reckless ended their set with “Take Me Down,” an ode to rock itself, before the night’s main act was soon to take the stage.

AC/DC arrived on stage to be immediately met by thousands of screaming fans as they opened with “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It).” Right from the start to the very end of their show, the band’s energy was at the top of their game and unwavering, as the band refused to slow down even for a minute. The band’s optimism was also very clear as Johnson continuously smiled and laughed with the crowd. “It’s been too long. Where you been?” He humorously asked his audience.

Right before jumping into “Back In Black,” Johnson said, “We’re just going to do the same stuff we always do, play some rock ‘n’ roll and have a party.” Aptly put, this is just what AC/DC did for the entire night, delivering hit songs off many of their albums including a few off of Power Up (“Demon Fire” and “Shot in the Dark”) as well as beloved fan favorites such as “Thunderstruck,” “Have A Drink On Me,” “Hell’s Bells” and “Highway To Hell.”

AC/DC has received numerous jabs over the years for their seemingly repetitive sound, maintaining an unmistakable sonic identity throughout their career. However, this unique sound is just that – unique. AC/DC has been able to capture the hearts of casual and diehard rock fans, unlike any other act over the years, and no other group has been able to capture such a classic tone and energy in their artistry. The group has remained timeless because their music possesses something anthemic and larger-than-life, yet something many can relate to.

To witness the group back in North America after all these years and see their unbridled charisma and talent firsthand is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Angus Young ripped through his Gibson SGs the same way he has done after all these years, running across the stage and rolling around the floor without missing a single note, all while donning his iconic schoolboy uniform.

Insanely punchy, intoxicating, and infectious as always, the intensity of the show was unparalleled. After playing “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Whole Lotta Rosie,” AC/DC ended their main set with “Let There Be Rock.” It was during this song that the band exited the stage for some time, and Young delivered a nearly ten-minute signature guitar solo. With his rebellious onstage presence and matchless guitar-playing, Young proved that he could entertain a crowd, or an entire stadium, all on his own.

Appearing to have ended their show, the band soon returned to the stage to deliver their encore, featuring “T.N.T.” and “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You).” For the latter, cannons were rolled out onto the stage to fire throughout the song, and the entire night ended with both an explosion of cannons and fireworks.

AC/DC’s return to Chicago was a bold and triumphant, as they played a hard-hitting and unrelenting set to a sold-out crowd. Between the crowd’s upbeat energy, Johnson’s radiant optimism, and Young’s fiery shredding, everybody’s favorite rock band proved that their signature high-voltage rock ‘n’ roll is far from burning out.

The Pretty Reckless Setlist: